Vanuatu throws out Australian police over diplomatic spat

Australian police have been expelled from the Pacific nation of Vanuatu amid a diplomatic feud over the arrest in Sydney of the Prime Minister's private secretary.

Jonathan Pearlman in Sydney

11:49AM BST 10 May 2012

Vanuatu's foreign office gave Australia's 12 police officers 24 hours to leave or face arrest in response to the detention of Clarence Marae at Sydney airport two weeks ago. The aide, reportedly wanted in connection with an international tax scam, was travelling with Vanuatu's prime minister, Sato Kilman, who was en route to Israel for a state visit.

Australia's foreign office said it was "disappointed and concerned" at the apparent "retaliation" and insisted it had no choice but to detain Mr Marae while he was in the company of the Prime Minister.

"We regret that it was necessary to make the arrest during Prime Minister Kilman's transit," said a foreign affairs spokesman.

"All possible measures were taken to ensure it was carried out in a way that was respectful of Prime Minister Kilman's position and the need to protect his dignity."

Mr Kilman was furious about the arrest and described it as "kidnap and breach of diplomatic protocol", according to Vanuatu's Daily Post.